Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Agency Recovers Over N11bn in 2020 Despite COVID-19

As Nigeria doubles down on the war against corruption, the monster that has held the nation’s progress captive for many years and sunk it into abject poverty, its anti-graft agency is recording small-scale success.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it has recovered over N11 billion in monetary assets and secured over 646 convictions so far this year.

The Commission’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Umar Abba disclosed this in Abuja, on Oct. 6, to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes.

“The EFCC is doing remarkably well above all other law-enforcement agencies in the country and that is why the UNODC and National Bureau of Statistics in the 2017 survey they conducted ranked EFCC as the most effective government agency in Nigeria”, Abba said.

He also expressed concerns about the deteriorating condition of the vehicles and other properties seized by the EFCC, noting that the agency is counting on the Attorney General of the Federation for a gazette that would resolve the issue.

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The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration took power on the strong promise to combat corruption and transform the economy but critics have argued that the campaign promise is yet to yield desired results.